With the end of the year approaching, we bring you a summary of the most interesting events and achievements in the field of science and research at ECON MUNI. Our scientists have been involved in projects with a direct impact on society, celebrated success in grant competitions and helped politicians and public administration to make better decisions through the new Policy Reports Series.
Research with impact: connecting science and policy making
Scientists from ECON MUNI are actively involved in research that has a significant impact on society – from measuring air quality in Brno, to implementing circular economy in companies, transport economics and tourism, to improving the lives of people with dementia. Since September, researchers from the HEPII institute have been part of a project to develop a microsimulation model to predict the health status of the Czech population. In addition, the director of the institute, Dr Jakub Hlávka, has been acting as an advisor to the President of the Czech Republic on health care since September.
In 2024, we also started publishing the new Policy Reports Series to help politicians, public administration and other stakeholders make better decisions. The published reports focus on topics such as people's willingness to get vaccinated against covid-19, reforms to agreements on work, and the availability of primary health care in different regions of the Czech Republic.
Popularising science and improving doctoral studies
Scientists from ECON MUNI have been regularly featured in the media over the past year. They also presented interesting economic topics as well as their own research at the traditional Researchers’ Night and the Festival of Science & Technology. You could also see our experts on the ECON MUNI Instagram, where they introduce concepts from the field of economics to students and the general public via short videos.
Meanwhile, we continued working on the new unified doctoral degree programme. It will make PhD studies at ECON MUNI even more in line with international standards. In addition, PhD students can use new shared offices, laptops and other facilities from September 2024.
We are successful – in grants and awards
As of January 2024, the new President of the Czech Economic Society is Associate Professor Daniel Němec from the Department of Economics. Dr Miloš Fišar from the Department of Public Economics accepted the Rector's Award for Outstanding Achievements for Young Scientists under 40 Years of Age in the spring. He received it for his research, in which he and his colleagues from the universities of Vienna, Paris and Dallas verified the accuracy of the results of nearly 500 scientific studies.
The Vice-Rector's Award for Excellence in Doctoral Studies went to Dr Jakub Chini and his supervisor professor Martin Kvizda from the Department of Economics. Dr Michal Kvasnička from the same department also received a prestigious award, namely the Minister of Education, Youth and Sports Award for Outstanding Educational Activities in Higher Education. In addition, the MUNI Scientist Award went to Dr Prateek Kalia from the Department of Business Economics and Management and the team from the Department of Public Economics consisting of Professor Juraj Nemec, Associate Professor Robert Jahoda and Associate Professor Ivan Malý.
More good news reached us at the end of the year – three important international projects aimed at improving life in the Czech Republic received funding. The first one focuses on research into population ageing and finding mechanisms to make healthcare more effective. On the other hand, the second project will focus on access to health services and the formation of human capital in the peripheral regions. Last but not least, the third one will examine the impact of foreign interference on individuals and society.
